Whitewater rafting has steadily gained a wide following over the years. It used to be the sole enclave of seasoned adventurers and athletes. Today, couch potatoes and four-year-old children can be seen screaming and raising their paddles in the air as they negotiate swift rapids.

Hundreds of enterprises have sprouted along the banks of American rivers with rapids suited to whitewater rafting. No matter where you are in the United States, you are never too far away from challenging whitewater rapids. The company’s clientele include families on an outdoor vacation, corporate employees undergoing team-building activities, even students on an excursion, and thrill-seeking adventurers.

Like any other adventure sport, there are dangers involved in whitewater rafting.
There are strainers, sweepers, holes, waves, pillows, eddies, undercut rocks, and sieves along the river which rafters must avoid. Although that looks like a long list of dangers, they are not insurmountable. Experienced guides can help you get through them. Whitewater rafting is risky enough to get your heart pounding, yet safe enough even for young children to try.

A good number of companies offer whitewater rafting tours for families. While they vary as to the age limits of children, some accept those as young as four years old. Family rafting with the kids is usually limited to mild or moderate rivers, or, in the language of experienced rafters, a Grade II or III whitewater. This adventure is usually a good bonding experience for the family. They face the same dangers as they are literally in the same boat, and also share the same exhilarating feeling as they surmount them all.

Companies offering family rafting tours often have training and experience dealing with children. They have safety gears and equipment especially suited to kids. Their guides possess the skills to teach children the ABCs of whitewater rafting, from basic safety through the right way to hold a paddle to how to properly wear their personal flotation devices (PFDs).

Group whitewater rafting tours are also available for large family reunions, bachelor or bachelorette party tours, class or club outings, or team-building activities. Often the companies offering group tours have available accommodations and facilities for their guests. They can even arrange for the transportation, logistics, and meals in addition to the gear and equipment needed for the rafting. Others have campsites where tents could be pitched. This gives guests a fuller experience of the great outdoors.

Sharing a unique and extraordinary experience spells closer connections and cooperation. It will also give the members something to talk about for a long, long time.

Firsts are always difficult to forget. First love. First car. First job. Somehow all these remain in our memories. So will your first whitewater rafting tour. And if you just can’t resist the call of the water, and perhaps you want to move up from Grade II to III, or from III to IV, all you need to do is put in a reservation for a tour. You can call, email, or fax. Get to the river, put on your helmet, sunglasses, and PFD and get on a raft. You can even sign up for a multi-day trip and have the time of your life.